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Volunteers Honored with Ageless Award by The Jessie F. Richardson Foundation

Jeannine Cowles was one of the recipients of the Ageless Award who gave some short but insightful remarks that were very well received. Also pictured is Dr. Keren Wilson, president of the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation, and Dr. Marvin Kaiser, a Board Member and president of Mary’s Woods Retirement Community.

Portland, April 3rd, 2013. Several of Oregon’s long-time residents were honored for demonstrating ongoing involvement and commitment in their work and communities. The “Ageless Award,” was given by the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation (JFR) at its annual community luncheon at the Multnomah Athletic Club. The honor illustrates that all people can live a life with meaning and purpose, regardless of age or circumstances. Jeannine Cowles was one of the recipients of the Ageless Award and had a chance to catch up with Dr. Keren Wilson, president of the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation, and Dr. Marvin Kaiser, a Board Member and president of Mary’s Woods Retirement Community.

The Ageless Award Honorees are older adults whose lives demonstrate a continuing interest, involvement and commitment to meaningful involvement. The winners of this year’s award from the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation are Jeannine Cowles, Tom Vaughan, Maria Jones, Ernie Bloch II, and Frances Venetucci.

Dr. Keren Brown Wilson, President and Founder of the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation, gave one of the speeches during the event, thanking those who participated and telling about her experiences working with older adults

This year the Community Luncheon hosted more individuals than ever at nearly 250 at the Multnomah Athletic Club in downtown Portland, OR. The Jessie F. Richardson Foundation hopes to continue to spread its message of serving indigent older adults in developing areas both domestically and internationally.

The award itself was designed by artist, historian and Portland’s oldest retired police officer, Frank Springer.

The Ageless Award was also given to the Vital Volunteers, pictured here are Frances Venetucci and Maria Jones. The Vital Volunteers are a program put together by the Vital Life Foundation. It allows residents of Marquis Consonus assisted living facilities to give back to their community by volunteering with local non-profits.

From the THE JESSIE F. RICHARDSON FOUNDATION

Dr. Keren Brown Wilson, JFR’s founder and president, was motivated to set up the foundation in the mid 1970s because of words spoken by her mother, Jessie F. Richardson who said “Why don’t you do something to help people like me?” At the time, Dr. Wilson was a graduate student in gerontology and her mother was a 60-year-old nursing home resident. Her mother’s words directed the course of Dr. Wilson’s professional work with frail, low-income elders. Now JFR Foundation works in developing countries on aging-related issues. Its board of directors includes a cross-section of talented local and national experts in community-building, health care and higher education: http://jfrfoundation.org/about-us/board.html.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.